Tussar Silk, The Story Of No-Violence Silk From India

Video Description

Tussar Silk is produced mainly in the eastern regions of India including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. It is also called ‘Wild Silk’. And there is a specific reason for it. These silkworms (Antheraea) are not domesticated creatures. They feed on wild trees instead of being confined to a little farm or an overly controlled environment. There are two types of Tussar silk. Pure Tussar and Tussar Ghica. Pure Tussar is made using undamaged cocoons, which means the larvae die inside. On the other hand, Tussar Ghicha is the one in which the moth makes a hole at the top of the cocoon and breaks out and therefore unharmed. The moth flies out, mates, and produces more eggs; more importantly, it’s free! This is why Tussar Silk has earned the name “No-Violence-Silk”. This is also why there has been a renewed interest in it by designers and textile enthusiasts as it offers ethical practices in fashion and it’s environmentally friendly. Even the trees on which the silkworms feed are not damaged or cut down. It is to be noted that most of the villagers don’t have the concept of violence or non-violence silk. For them, it is a modern fancy term. They have been making Tussar Ghicha silk for centuries. Also watch: Pisanki, The Egg-cellent Polish Tradition: https://youtu.be/ScEtEqcA4ZM #India #Indian #documentary